Here again David was chastened for the lack of faith that had led him to place himself among the Philistines. He had opportunity to see how much safety could be found among the foes of God and His people. David's followers turned upon him as the cause of their calamities. He had provoked the vengeance of the Amalekites by his attack upon them; yet, too confident of security in the midst of his enemies, he had left the city unguarded. Maddened with grief and rage, his soldiers were now ready for any desperate measures, and they threatened even to stone their leader.

David var endnu engang blevet straffet, fordi han havde så lidt tro, at han bosatte sig mellem filisterne, Her var et tydeligt bevis på, hvor "trygt" det var at bo imellem Guds og hans folks fjender! Davids folk gjorde front imod ham og gav ham hele skylden for den ulykke, som havde ramt dem. Han havde ægget amalekitterne til hævn ved at gå til angreb på dem, men til trods herfor følte han sig så sikker imellem sine fjender, at han forlod sin by uden at sætte nogen til at holde vagt. Hans soldater var så ophidsede af sorg og vrede, at de kunne gøre hvad som helst og tænkte på at stene deres høvding.